WHAT DO RANGERS WANT FOR Z JONES?

 Just short stuff … promise …


ZAC JONES remained property of the New York 

Rangers Thursday despite being given permission to 

seek a trade … that we’re told resulted in several teams 

being interested. “Now, it’s all about what the Rangers 

want for him,” said his father, ROB JONES … without 

adding the Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets 

wanted the left-handed defenseman from Richmond 

(Glen Allen) last year … and the price was outrageous – 

like a first-round draft choice in one instance. For a 

player that was a healthy scratch in 51 of 82 regular-

season games? Come on!


Non-surprise of week: North Carolina (University of) 

officials are expressing concern BILL BELICHICK

 won’t coach the Tar Heels despite him insisting 

otherwise … in addition to a $10 million buyout if he 

leaves for the NFL before June 1 ($1M thereafter). 

Come to think of it … what’s a paltry 10 mil to an NFL 

team that decides it really wants him?


Anybody want to wager a quid or two that U.Va.,

 athletic director CARLA WILLIAMS has begun her

 “nation-wide” search for a new basketball coach? … as 

promised when TONY BENNETT couldn’t take it any 

more and quit shortly before season’s start.


With two-years’ eligibility remaining, Virginia QB

 ANTHONY COLANDREA entered the transfer 

portal, signed with UNLV … which subsequently added 

Michigan’s ALEX ORJI.


Prediction: Now that QUINN EWERS has decided 

to make himself available in the NFL draft, rejecting 

a reported $6 million NIL offer to leave Texas 

(University of), we will be subjected to ARCH 

MANNING ad nauseam … to the point of (fill in the 

blank).



The College Football Hall of Fame managed to dilute

 MICHAEL VICK’s deserved entry by also naming a 

bunch of never-heard-of-them selections … along with

 MICHAEL STRAHAN and coaches URBAN 

MEYER and NICK SABAN.


In the NHL, finally found bigger (worse?) homers than 

the New York Rangers’ SAM ROSEN and JOE 

MICHELETTI. MARC MOSER and MARK 

RYCROFT of Colorado Avalanche are ridiculous.


Rosen is retiring after 40 years calling Broadway 

Blueshirts games … and you can tell he’s really touched 

by recognition around the league.


Detroit Red Wings said to be interested in RYAN 

LINDGREN, Rangers’ defenseman who is available.


Here’s hoping ERIK GUSTAFSSON, a favorite of NY 

coach PETER LAVIOLETTE, isn’t offered in return. 

Like Lindgren left-handed, unlike Lindgren avoids 

contact whenever possible, Gustafsson, who played for 

NY last year, signed a two-year, $4 million contract 

with Detroit as a free agent … and was minus 11 in 26 

games (five assists) before TODD McLELLEN was 

named coach in mid-December … Since then he has 

five points (two goals) and plus 3, and McLellan was 

quoted as saying the 32 year old veteran has improved 

defensively, too. Seriously?


14,018 … turned out in Denver to watch a women’s 

professional hockey game.


Sparring no expense … has VCU bought local media 

or what?


WWE fans booed HULK HOGAN recently. Is nothing 

sacred any more?



Finally … hockey leads the world in scoops by insiders 

… but here’s a beauty: CONNOR MacDAVID to the 

Rangers or Bruins at season’s end. For?


Well, Edmonton coach KRIS KNOBLAUCH came from 

AHL Hartford where Z Jones was his best – by far – 

defenseman for two years … and the Oilers have been 

listed among four potential destinations for the 5-11, 

190 pounder … including Calgary, Seattle and Ottawa. 


Until next time ... 

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